This article was originally published on Who What Wear

When Marilyn Monroe supposedly said, “give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world,” we’re fairly certain she was talking about heels. But if you can’t walk in said heels? Well, that essentially negates any potential conquests, whether you’re in the boardroom or the bar. Lucky for you, we have assembled a few extremely helpful tips for how to walk in heels with ease and grace. We suggest taking these tips to heart and trying them out ASAP since it’s safe to assume that heels aren’t going out of style anytime soon.

Accordingly, we’ve put together the seven secrets to walking in heels the right way, in addition to a fresh selection of our favorite heel styles we are loving right now. From affordable basic styles to fashion-girl favorites, there isn’t a style you won’t see here.

Scroll down to check out the life-changing tips, and while you’re at it, why not treat yourself to a new pair of killer heels from our shopping section? After all, you’ll need something to test out your new skills.

Trick 1:

The easiest way to look like an amateur in heels is to put your whole foot down at once as if you’re wearing flats. When wearing heels, put your heel down first, followed by your toe. This will make your walk look more natural.

Trick 2:

Wearing heels makes your stride shorter than normal, so you’ll have to take an increased number of small steps to go the same distance. We’re not recommending baby steps, but don’t try to take your usual long strides either.

 

Trick 3:

Trying to walk quickly in heels often ends up looking quite awkward. Between the smaller steps and the compromised balance, it’s best to take your time in heels. Besides, walking slowly gives off an air of confidence.

Trick 4:

 

You may find you want to walk faster than your heels will allow, and end up craning your neck forward to compensate. This ends up looking strange, so allow yourself to lean just the slightest bit back when walking in heels, as this will counteract your inclination to lean forward.

Trick 5:

When you want to draw a straight line, you’ll get better results if you look at your end point as you draw, rather than looking at your pencil as it moves. Similarly, when walking in heels, you’ll walk more gracefully if you look at your goal point (maybe it’s the podium at the end of the stage), and visualize a straight line going toward your end point, rather than looking down at your heels as you walk.

Trick 6:


As you take each step, or if you feel yourself slipping, arch your foot slightly to put pressure on the inside of your shoe. This will make your shoe fit closer to your foot, making it easier to maneuver.

Trick 7:

If your shoes are ill-fitting, it makes the difficult task of walking naturally in heels almost impossible. If your heels are too big, use shoe pads for a better fit. If they are too small, consider having them stretched by a local cobbler, or try this hack to stretch them yourself.